observance

American  

[uhb-zur-vuhns] / əbˈzɜr vəns /

noun

1. an act or instance of following, obeying, or conforming to.

   the observance of traffic laws.

   Synonyms:

   heedfulness, adherence, compliance

2. a keeping or celebration by appropriate procedure, ceremonies, etc..

   the observance of the Sabbath.

3. a procedure, ceremony, or rite, as for a particular occasion.

   patriotic observances.

4. a rule or custom to be followed or obeyed; a customary practice.

5. Roman Catholic Church.

   1. a rule or discipline for a religious house or order.

   2. a house or order observing a rule or discipline.

6. an act or instance of watching, noting, or perceiving; observation.

7. respectful attention or service.

8. Archaic. courteous attention as to a person; dutiful service.

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observance British  

/ əbˈzɜːvəns /

noun

1. recognition of or compliance with a law, custom, practice, etc

2. the act of such recognition

3. a ritual, ceremony, or practice, esp of a religion

4. observation or attention

5. the degree of strictness of a religious order or community in following its rule

6. archaic respectful or deferential attention

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Other Word Forms

• preobservance noun

Etymology

Origin of observance

1175–1225; Middle English observaunce < Old French < Late Latin observantia, Latin: esteem, attention, derivative of observant- (stem of observāns ), present participle of observāre. See observe, -ance

Example Sentences

The two major U.S. stock exchanges — the New York Stock Exchange and the Nasdaq — will be closed on Friday, April 3, in observance of the Christian holiday.

From MarketWatch

Equity markets are closed in observance of Good Friday.

From Barron's

Holy Week was no holiday: The grim observances of Good Friday led solemnly though with mounting joy toward the celebration of the Resurrection and the most important observance on the Christian calendar.

From The Wall Street Journal

But what kind of a Jew, with my waning attachment to ritual observance and insistent questioning of Orthodox belief?

From The Wall Street Journal

The Los Angeles Unified School District said it will continue this year to take the day off that was scheduled in observance of Chávez’s birthday.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• acknowledgment
• adherence
• celebration
• compliance
• fulfillment